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Trailer towing (placement on trailer question)

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-AV8R-

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Aug 31, 2024
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I have a somewhat complex question I'm hoping someone has a valid answer to. I'm not looking for the " here's how I've done it and it's worked so far." type answers. I'm looking for a more specific answer. After selling my General, and upgrading to the 1500XD (three seat), I decided I should upgrade my trailer as well. My General on the single axle trailer was fine to pull all the way forward on my old trailer, tires against the rails. But my new trailer is longer and heavier. Its a 15' x 85" tandem axle. The mid point between the two axles is 13 feet from the hitch. I'm worried that loading the ranger (2900 lbs with full fuel) all the way forward will put too much weight on the receiver of the truck (2021 F-150 with a Class IV hitch receiver, which I understand is limited to about 1200 lbs tongue weight) So I'm trying to figure out how far forward to load the Ranger to keep it stable when towing, but still keep most of the weight on the trailer axles. Even if loaded slightly forward of the axles, I need to know HOW FAR forward, as I'm sure the Ranger is heavier in the rear than the front with the placement of the engine. I just don't know by how much heavier it is on the rear tires versus the front tires. Should I just get a hitch ball scale?
 
Not sure one of us here can give you the correct answer. The above mentioned hitch is a good idea. If I was in your shoes, I’d start out by pulling the ranger onto the trailer and stopping with the rear tires in between the axles, or just on top of the rear axle. Do a short drive, adjust as needed. Also if you have an adjustable hitch, you could always play around with the height of that as well to get a desired tongue weight, level trailer, etc. I have an enclosed trailer that I tow mine in (6 seat). And I had to adjust hitch height, and final placement of my XD inside the trailer for a better towing experience, from owning my XP 1000.
 
Sorry but the answer you don't want to hear is how I have been loading excavators, dozers, and the numerous toys for 45 years and has always worked.
With the 1500 I back it on until I see the weight shift to the tongue and strap it in place.
For a perfect science get ball scale as you suggest.
 
I do something similar as oneal except I pull on the trailer going forward until I see the weight shift to the tongue. I want enough weight on the tongue that I can barely change the bumper height when I lift on the tongue. Definitely more art than science.

As long as you start with the weight shifted forward you can do a little trial and error with short trips until you find the perfect spot. Remember that perfect spot will change as you add other items to the trailer.
 
There is room for error when trailering anything, the key to it running down the road safely is just following the basics around being level and tongue weight. When you don't it causes issues with trailer sway caused by several reasons. Lots of good videos on YouTube that demonstrates this.

1. Your trailer needs to be level when it's loaded! Use an adjustable hitch and put a level on it to ensure its level. You only have to do this once, so you know where to set your drop.
2. The tongue weight should be 10-15% of the load. I also have a 3-seater and its position on the trailer is determined by the tongue weight. I run a minimum of 300 lbs. In my case the XD's rear tire sits behind my rear trailer axel. The type and length of your trailer will cause this to vary. I have a Weigh Safe Hitch and really like it; they are on sale right now on Amazon and other places. I'll attach a link below.

 
Here is a picture of my truck and trailer. Polaris also says to trailer your Ranger XD facing forwards NOT backwards. Some tow it backwards and claim no issues, that's for each person to decide on their own. The trailer looks like it's high in the front but the ground that it is sitting on is lower than the truck.
 

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Here is a quick video showing the importance of tongue weight. There are many more on YouTube that also talk about the trailer being level.
 
oneal said:
Sorry but the answer you don't want to hear is how I have been loading excavators, dozers, and the numerous toys for 45 years and has always worked.
With the 1500 I back it on until I see the weight shift to the tongue and strap it in place.
For a perfect science get ball scale as you suggest.
Click to expand...
That’s exactly what I was going to put down. It’s not rocket science. Ball needs some weight on it. That’s it.
 
I used to always go by "when the truck squats a little" My current truck has an air ride suspension that automatically levels the truck so you can't really squat the rear end. That's why I added the Weigh Safe so I could actually tell how much weight was on the hitch.
 
Big Red said:
I used to always go by "when the truck squats a little" My current truck has an air ride suspension that automatically levels the truck so you can't really squat the rear end. That's why I added the Weigh Safe so I could actually tell how much weight was on the hitch.
Click to expand...
That's a great method Big Red.
Honestly, air bags on the truck or no suspension at all on the truck I can feel when the weight shifts to the tongue on many different trailers and many different items, then tie it down.
Probably just some of my old world neanderthal methods.
 
I have air bags on the rear axles. But just use the eyeballs when using them and towing heavy. Which is only once a year (week off for elk hunt or sometimes also deer hunt).
 
Thanks for the replies here, guys. So far, I've been doing what a lot of you are doing and suggesting, basically just driving it on till I see the weight shift forward and squat the truck a little. This, at least, guarantees that the balance point is forward of the pivot point on the trailer (axle/s). That is key to the stability. I guess I just want to be sure I'm also not going too far and overloading the truck receiver. Just to be sure I will just grab one of the WeighSafe balls as suggested. Thanks again for the input!
 
I pull my 1500 in an enclosed 16' extra tall tandem trailer. With the WEIGH SAFE 10,000 capacity 2" receiver and combination 2" and 2 5/8" adjustable ball sizes, you simply move the machine forward and backward until you get 10% - 15% of the total load weight on the hitch. The hitch mounted scale is accurate, but I wish the scale size was bigger for my old eyes. When I bought the hitch on Amazon, there were a few options.....I choose the least expensive option at under $200. I use it with my 14' trailer when hauling my zero turn and my 20' - 10,000 pound capacity flat bed when hauling my Mahindra 2638 tractor with confidence. It's a 5 star product in my book. Best.....
 
Those sound really nice.
jeffatboyles said:
I pull my 1500 in an enclosed 16' extra tall tandem trailer. With the WEIGH SAFE 10,000 capacity 2" receiver and combination 2" and 2 5/8" adjustable ball sizes, you simply move the machine forward and backward until you get 10% - 15% of the total load weight on the hitch. The hitch mounted scale is accurate, but I wish the scale size was bigger for my old eyes. When I bought the hitch on Amazon, there were a few options.....I choose the least expensive option at under $200. I use it with my 14' trailer when hauling my zero turn and my 20' - 10,000 pound capacity flat bed when hauling my Mahindra 2638 tractor with confidence. It's a 5 star product in my book. Best.....
Click to expand...
Those sound really nice.
 
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